Hvar is located in Split and Dalmatia County , its length is 72 kilometers and a width is 10.5 kilometers. The length of coastline is 254.2 kilometers , in general surface has 299.7 square kilometers . It is the fourth biggest Croatian island. Its top sveti Nikola is 628 meters above sea level high. Hvar name derives from the ancient Greeks which called it Pharos , the lighthouse . The Romans formed this name in Pharia and later in Fara . In the Middle Ages name changes to Hvar . Local residents call it Hvor. A standard form is used in the eastern part of the island. Ever since prehistoric times before 6000 years this island was inhabited by many natives . From this period is dating very famous Hvar culture , especially painted ceramics , and also finds from Markova and Grapceva caves are an indispensable part of cultural attractions of Hvar . In the 4th century BC Hvar was under the influence of ancient Greek colonization , and on the site of the Old Town is located the polis . 219 BC... the island came under the rule of Rome and the Pharos becomes Pharia . After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the island was under Byzantine . This is a period full of archaeological finds which left a large number of villa rustica . About this time there are not much information available until the moment when here moved Slavs , at that time Hvar was influenced by the Neretva principality . Then the population changed and takes the Croatian language, names and culture . The settlement of the famous old Croatian tribes named Slavogost started. In the 11th century Hvar became part of the Kingdom of Petar Kresimir IV , and after that came the Venetian Republic , Byzantine and Croatian Hungarian Kingdom . 1331. the commune places itself under the protection of Omis pirates . 1420th came the Venetians , and they have ruled until their decline that occurred in 1797.It should be noted that the city was in that time the main Venetian port located on the eastern Adriatic coast . The increase in population comes at a time of late antiquity . Since 1510.-1514. lasted rebellion of Hvar commoners who rebelled against the Hvar aristocracy . Venice supressed the rebellion at the end. From the 1806. to 1814. Hvar was under the rule of Napoleon , and then comes the Habsburg Monarchy , and" little golden period " for the island begins: there was industrialization, it comes to reconstruction of the island's port , and the middle class population became particularly strong . The island of Hvar has its merchant fleet until the apparition of steamships . States such as the Kingdom of Naples , the Papal States , Greece and Parma have opened consulates in this place. It is interesting that the 1858. Hvar opened the first meteorological station in Croatia . At the beginning of the Croatian war of independence, this island has had many problems : economy and residents were under naval blockade , and it was difficult to make a connections to other cities and countries . Hvar was in the 16th and 17th centuries a famous center of Croatian literature , where they acted Petar Hektorović and Hanibal Lucic . Hvar is often called the king of Dalmatian islands , and its rich layers of historical periods , cultural and historical monuments , literature and nautical position makes it the most visited tourist destination in Dalmatia . It still ranks among the 10 most beautiful islands in the world . Summers are pleasant , winters are warm and mild climate makes it a perfect place for a holiday , and this is why it is visited by numerous celebrities , guests and scientists who are accustomed to live lavishly . The only possible problem is the separation from the mainland , but that also provides protection against noise , polluted air , traffic jams on roads and other things nowadays expected to come. Spacious lavender fields , vineyards and many olive trees make up the unity of nature in which man is the prime mover . Mlaska bay where is most produced wine and olives is well known, and the many tourists are visiting rather Hvars small tavern than a luxury restaurant . There is offered home made wine, old folk songs are sung and taste of the culinary specialties of the Dalmatian are flowing through the ear. The famous beach Dubovica near Milne attracts tourists with its beauty. Some say it is a paradise beach located below the pine forests . The largest towns on this island are Sucuraj , Vrboska , Stari Grad , Jelsa and the town of Hvar . Less known places that tourists visit are : Zavala, Sveta Nedjelja, Ivan Dolac i Milna. The island of Hvar is known for the large number of hours of sunshine per year , even 2718. Maximum temperatures are not so high to have effect on many agricultural sectors , and the highest temperature , which is measured on the island was 37 degrees back in 1935. Accommodation is offered in a variety of apartments , hotels and private homes. Those who are looking for adventure and recreational facilities can rent a boat , pedal boats , jet-skis , do scuba diving , swimming in the deep seas , and for those who want to play volleyball and tennis , there are various sports centers . It should be noted that the average winter temperature is 9 degrees C in January and 24.8 degrees C in July. It is interesting that the snow rarely falls. Month of January has in average only three snow days in 10 years, and in February only one day . The economy is based on fishing , agriculture which is consisting of olives and vines, and in particular the increased cultivation of rosemary and lavender . What is noteworthy is driving through the lavender fields near Gdinj, quiet hidden cove around Sućuraj . Sucuraj is a major fishing center on the island with Vrboska and Hvar . The traffic is carried by ferry , which runs frequently. The main towns on the island are connected by road D116 .